Rangatahi Support

THE SURVIVAL GUIDE: Your Rights & Your Support

You are a descendant of survivors and navigators. Your strength is in your DNA, but you don’t have to carry this weight alone. Family should be your tūrangawaewae—the place where you feel safest to stand.

If things at home feel heavy or scary, reaching out isn’t ‘snitching’ or breaking the whānau—it is an act of incredible mana. You deserve to be heard, you deserve to be safe, and you deserve a future where you can breathe easy.

There is a whole community ready to tautoko (support) you. When you’re ready, we’re here to listen. No judgment. Just safety.

1. The “Safety Cheat Sheet” (Immediate Support)

These are all Free and Confidential. They won’t show up on a phone bill, and they don’t care if you have zero credit. They are “Always Open” Lines (24/7 & Free)

111: If someone is hurting you right now, or you’re scared, call 111.
- Silent Hack: If you can’t speak, text 111. (Register now: text ‘Register’ to 111).
Youthline (Text 234 or Call 0800 376 633): The gold standard. They won’t judge you. They just listen and help you figure out your next move.
0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843): Women’s Refuge. It’s not just for moms; they have youth advocates who can help you find a safe place to sleep tonight.
0508 FAMILY (0508 326 459): Oranga Tamariki. If you are under 18 and don’t feel safe at home, this is the main line to get a social worker involved.

2. Mental Fortification (Free Therapy)

Gumboot Friday / I Am Hope: If the “fog” in your head is too much, you can get free counselling. You don’t need a doctor’s referral. Just go to the Gumboot Friday website, pick a counsellor near you, and book. They pay the bill.
1737: Need to talk to a trained counsellor right this second? Text or call 1737 anytime. It’s free and totally private.
Kidsline (0800 54 37 54): This is cool because you talk to “Buddy” volunteers—older students who actually get what it’s like to be young in NZ. Available 4pm–9pm weekdays.
0800 What’s Up (0800 942 8787): Specifically for ages 5–18. You can call or hop on their webchat (whatsup.co.nz) from 11am–11pm.

3. Support for the Bros (Male-Focused)

If you are a young man experiencing violence, or if you’re worried about your own anger and want to stop the cycle before it starts:

Tautoko Tane: Specifically for boys and men who have experienced sexual harm. They have “Peer Support” workers—guys who have been through it and come out the other side.

0800 Hey Bro (0800 439 276): A dedicated line for men who want to change the narrative. They listen without judgment and help you find a better way to handle the pressure.

Gandhi Nivas: If things have reached a boiling point, they provide free housing and support for men to wrap around the whānau and stop the violence from escalating.

2. Your “Sovereignty” (Your Legal Rights)

In Aotearoa, the law says you have the right to be safe. Period.

You can get a Protection Order: Even if you are under 18, you can apply for a court order that tells a violent person to stay away from you.
The “Police Safety Order” (PSO): If the Police come to your house, they can issue a PSO on the spot. This kicks the person causing harm out of the house for up to 10 days, giving you time to breathe and make a plan.
The Right to be Heard: If Oranga Tamariki or the Courts are making decisions about you, you have a legal right to say what you want. You can ask for a Lay Advocate—someone whose only job is to stand in your corner.

3. Digital Safety (The “Shield”)

If you are being stalked or monitored, your phone can be a weapon used against you.

Incognito is your friend: Always use “Private” or “Incognito” mode when looking for help so it doesn’t stay in your history.
Ghost your GPS: Turn off “Share My Location” on all apps (Snapchat Map, Find My Friends, etc.).
The “Fake App” trick: If you use the Safe and Sane Sanctuary, remember the Quick Exit. If someone walks in, tap it to hide everything instantly.

4. Money & Practical Help

The “Emergency Housing” Grant: If you have to leave home, Work and Income (WINZ) can sometimes provide emergency money for food or a place to stay, even if you don’t usually get a benefit.
Legal Aid: You don’t need to be rich to have a lawyer. If you are a rangatahi in a family violence situation, you can usually get a lawyer for free through the Legal Aid system.

Tip for Rangatahi: You will be more successful taking an advocate with you then doing this alone. You can find an advocate through Womens Refuge or any Whanau Ora providers.

5. Cultural Strength (Te Ao Māori)

Whānau, Hapū, Iwi: Sometimes the safest place isn’t a government office; it’s with a trusted auntie, a koro, or a marae-based service.

This list provides direct contact numbers for key Whānau Ora providers in 2026. If you are a rangatahi, you can call these numbers to ask for a Navigator—someone who acts as a guide to help you navigate school, health, housing, and legal issues.

Auckland & Northland (Te Tai Tokerau)

West Auckland:Te Whānau o Waipareira
- Phone: 0800 924 942 or (09) 836 6683
Northland / Whangārei:Ngāti Hine Health Trust
- Phone: 0800 737 573 or (09) 430 2386
South Auckland:The Fono (Pasifika focus)
- Phone: 0800 366 648
East Auckland:Whānau Ora Hub (Healthpoint)
- Phone: 0800 483 5242
Central/South Auckland:Vaka Tautua (Pasifika focus)
- Phone: 0800 825 282

Waikato & Bay of Plenty

Hamilton:Te Kōhao Health
- Phone: 0800 483 564 or (07) 856 5479
Whakatāne / Eastern BOP:Te Puna Ora o Mataatua
- Phone: 0800 628 228 (0800 MATAATUA)
Taupō / Tūrangi:Tūwharetoa Health Charitable Trust
- Phone: 0800 942 7454 (0800 WHARIKI) or (07) 384 2882

Taranaki, Whanganui & Wellington

Taranaki:Tui Ora
- Phone: 0800 TUI ORA (0800 884 672) or (06) 278 6603
Porirua / Wellington:Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira
- Phone: (04) 238 4703
Whanganui:Te Oranganui
- Phone: (06) 349 0007

South Island (Te Waipounamu)

Christchurch / Ashburton:He Waka Tapu
- Phone: 0800 HE WAKA (0800 43 9252)
Invercargill:Awarua Whānau Services
- Phone: (03) 218 6668
Dunedin:Te Roopu Tautoko Ki Te Tonga
- Phone: 03 477 4670
- Email: admin@teroopu.nz

Māori Women’s Refuge: Ask specifically for a Māori advocate if you want someone who understands the importance of Whanaungatanga and Tikanga.

If you or a rangatahi needs immediate help, calling the National Crisis Line (0800 REFUGE / 0800 733 843) will connect you to the nearest advocate 24/7.

Here is a list of prominent Māori-led and kaupapa Māori affiliated refuges across the country as of 2026:

North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui)

Kaitaia: Whare Timatatanga Hou Ora
- Phone: (09) 408 3010
Whangārei: Te Puna O Te Aroha
- Phone: (09) 438 6212
Auckland (West): Te Whare O Ngā Tūmanako
- Phone: (09) 820 0453
Auckland (South): Te Whare Aio Māori Women’s Refuge
- Phone: (09) 2672475
Auckland (Central): Women’s Refuge Tamaki Makaurau
- Phone: (09) 3020064
Hamilton: Te Whakaruruhau
- Phone: (07) 855 1031
Taupō: Te Whare Oranga Wairua
- Phone: (07) 378 1658
Whanganui: Te Piringa Puna Wāhine
- Phone: (06) 345 6810
Palmerston North: Te Roopu Whakaruruhau O Nga Wahine
- Phone:(06) 356 7985
Porirua: Te Whare Tiaki Wāhine Māori
- Phone: (04) 237 7027
Lower Hutt: Kōkiri Marae Māori Women’s Refuge
- Phone: (04) 939 4630
Wellington: Te Whare Rokiroki
- Phone: (04) 801 8975

South Island (Te Waipounamu)

Christchurch: Te Whare Hauora
- Phone: (03) 377 6271
Dunedin: Ōtepoti-Dunedin Whānau Refuge
- Phone: (03) 477 1229

Why use a Māori Refuge?

For rangatahi and whānau Māori, these services offer more than just a bed. They provide:

Cultural Safety: Support that understands the importance of whakapapa and connection to iwi/hapū.
Manaakitanga: A focus on the dignity and wellbeing of the whole whānau, including tamariki.
Advocacy: Specialist help when dealing with Police, Oranga Tamariki, and the Courts from a Māori perspective.

Tip for Rangatahi: If you call 0800 REFUGE, you can specifically ask: “Is there a Māori advocate I can talk to?

The “Safe and Sane” Advice:

“The storm is loud, but you are the navigator. Don’t try to carry the whole house on your shoulders. Reach out to one person today—a teacher, a coach, or one of the numbers above. You deserve to live in Te Ao Mārama (The Light).”

The “Hidden Crew” Contact List

Instruction for Rangatahi: Copy these numbers and save them in your phone under these fake names. This way, if someone looks at your call log, it looks like normal daily life.

Real Service	Save As (Fake Name)	The Number
Emergency (Police)	Check Credit / Balance	111 (or Text 111)
0800 What’s Up	Spark Top Up	0800 942 8787
Youthline	Data Helpdesk	Text 234
Gumboot Friday	The Shoe Shop	(Select local provider number)
Women’s Refuge	Aunty [Name]	0800 733 843
0800 Hey Bro	The Mechanic	0800 439 276
1737 (Counselor)	App Support	Text 1737

“Cloaking” strategy:

“Stay Stealthy. Stay Safe.”

“In a high-control house, if your phone is the first thing they check. Don’t leave a trail.

Rename the Crew: Use the ‘Fake Names’ above so your call log looks boring.

Clear the Log: If you make a call, swipe and delete that specific call from your recent history immediately after.

The ‘Drafts’ Trick: If you can’t text safely, write your thoughts in a ‘Draft’ email or a ‘Note’ app, then delete it when you’re done.

Bonus: The “Safe and Sane” Digital Safety Card

I have designed this “Quick-Reference” text so it can be screenshotted and kept in a Hidden Photo Folder or a password-protected app.

THE NAVIGATION KEY

“Need to talk? Dial 1737 (24/7)”
“Need a move? Dial 0800 REFUGE“
“Need the bros? Dial 0800 HEY BRO“
This is your digital pounamu. Keep it hidden. Use it when the fog gets thick.

Safety Tactics for Your Phone Log

If you are worried about someone seeing that you called these numbers, follow these steps immediately after the call:

The #31# Trick: If you dial #31# before the phone number (e.g., #31#0800733843), your phone number will show up as “Private” or “Unknown” to the person receiving the call.d (Te Ika-a-Māui)

Delete the Call: Go to your “Recents” list, swipe left on the number, and tap Delete.